New Zealand children’s footwear brand Bobux has appointed its new CEO, Monica Yianakis. 

Yianakis comes to Bobux with multiple leadership experiences, most recently as the strategic innovation director and retail director for Lion, where she led a staff of 200 employees. Prior to Lion, she held senior roles at Frucor, Nestle and Danone. 

She takes over current acting CEO Matt Smith who stepped in after Andrew Sharp departed last June. 

Bobux chairperson Paul Connell said Yianakis’ appointment will help the company achieve global growth. He believes she will elevate the label into a major international brand and a leading children’s shoe company. 

“Monica’s technology-focused, futurist mindset in action will aid Bobux’s operations,” he added.

The company began 30 years ago in an Auckland garage and is now stocked in 43 markets across the world including the US, UK and Europe. In 2019, the brand enjoyed double-digit global growth and was a finalist in the 2021 NZ Westpac Business Awards.